iReporters shared deeply personal and touching stories Tuesday as gay and lesbian couples married across California.

Two of those iReporters shared similar tales. wadeinexile , who used to live in California, moved to Argentina to be with his partner in 2000 . Since they could not marry, neither could gain citizenship in the other's home country. Eight years later, they are still together, now both legally living and working in Germany.

BillSargent also left the U.S. to live with his partner in Sweden . "Even though gay marriage isn't permitted here, the people here are much more accepting," he said. "Until things change in the U.S., I have no intentions of moving back or visiting."

How is California's ruling affecting you? Share your story, and see what others have to say.

Same-Sex marriage....Gay Pride Day was celebrated in my city last weekend. My husband and I decided to take our daughter downtown for some other activities. Truthfully, I was very uneasy about walking past the 'Pride Day events. I feel that folks should be able to do whatever they want in the privacy of their home or at a hotel. What am I supposed to tell my kid about two men and or two women hugging and kissing? I know she won't be a little kid forever but I don't think we should be making accomodations for what is not the norm/or majority. I think that certain organizations want it to be the 'norm' and to put it out there in the media as much as possible then no one will be shocked anymore. The next thing to come, I guess, we will have to update all of the health and daily living courses at school to include 'alternative lifestyles'.

I also don't agree with gay couples adopting or surrogate parenting. I am sure I will get a lot of hits on this subject. I didn't know what 'gay' was until high school. I really wish we could go back to those days.

It it so sad to read postings such as yours. Your mentality is one of the middle ages. What is surprising to me is that the so called 'third world countries" such as Mexico, Argentina, Brasil, have accepte and included the same sex idea in their legal system. It is not and acceptance thing , people dont have to accept the life style if they dont want to , that is life, but is a matter of rights. I dont want people,s approval to how I live my life I just want the laws to give me my rights.

The days of not knowing what gay was where never here, that what your situation, your personal situation. This has always being part of these world since the beginning of time, very well documented thru history. My God even in nature we have plenty of examples, talk about those nasty pinguins. We are all entitle to our opinions based on our ethics and upbringing, but to impose those on other just because they were born different is flat out WRONG......

Growing up, we are all taught that we will be loved by our parents no matter what we do, until we drop the bomb: I'm a homosexual. This constant denying of what people are and how they aren't accepted creates a huge divide in our country, quite similar to the one of race. Gay marriage is perfectly fine and those that are afraid or don't like it, are those that are scared of it. Scared because they aren't secure with themselves and their sexuality. If two humans want to be married, which the last time I checked we all have the freedom of choice, then so be it. If their marriage in some way affects you negatively, perhaps you should take the time to think about what you stand for, not your religion. The fact that people view homosexuals as some sort of "alien" is ridiculous, this is the 21st century, grow up! You don't have to like their lifestyle or their life choices, but they have to deal with the same issues as heterosexuals and then some. Homosexuals don't CHOOSE to be gay, they are born that way. The biggest misconception about homosexuals is that they chose to be gay, they chose to be discriminated against and denied marriage to the one they love and that they chose to be the targets of hate crimes. This kind of intolerance is what led to that middle school child being killed. Why? His parents constantly told him that it's a bad thing to be homosexual and it is morally wrong. If people can't live in the United States, where we are viewed as the land of the Free by others, than I don't know what else to say. Right winged, self-righteous people need to get over themselves and realize that the world does not revolve around them or their values.

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